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WBB: Now the Fun Begins - treetop11 - 03-21-2022
After an easy first game and a second game that started badly and ended in a rout, our women have a tough path ahead of them to defend their national championship. I am discouraged by the flame-out of P12 teams - Colorado and Oregon were the most disappointing. Now only Stanford and Arizona remain, and UA has to win tonight to move on.
When down to 16 teams, obviously we have to beat 4 of the best teams to win the NC. It looks to me that among the #1 seeds, Stanford and NC State have the toughest path to the Final Four as the Greensboro and Wichita regionals had upsets whereas the Spokane and Bridgeport regionals have all the 2,3, and 4 seeds remaining. We face a good Maryland (who webeat earlier, but they were short-handed), and if we beat them, we will get a rematch with Texas (who beat us) or the winner of LSU/Ohio State. I don't know much about LSU, but a Kim Mulkey coached team is always tough. Ohio State is a mystery to me. Based on what I have seen, Texas looks like the team to emerge from the Sweet 16 into the Elite 8. Then if we can take down Texas (or LSU/Ohio St.), we will likely face the winner of NC State/UConn in the Final Four. Oklahoma and Indiana are the other two most likely. Anything can happen, but NC State and UConn seem too talented to be upset by OK or Ind.
Getting by the high octane O of MD and the 40 minute high pressure of Texas is quite a challenge for us. Then we will have to face either elite team NC State or UConn. NC State looks to me like a complete team. Watching them play Kansas St., they started slow but now are dominating - did so without their AA post who got 2 early fouls. UConn is a sleeper IMO. Now that they are healthy, their talent and depth is daunting. If we win in the semis, we will likely play the tournament prohibitive favorite, South Carolina in the finals for the NC. I would love to have that happen as I believe that we match up well with SC and I respect their team.
As I'm sure Tara has drilled into the team, our women have to take it one game at a time, so the projections above are only meant to emphasize how difficult it is to win the NC. As good and strong as we are, nothing can be taken for granted. Bottom line for our success as we all know, we will need to handle the styles of play which are extremely aggressive and high pressure. We've learned to handle teams playing real physical and we actually canplay real physical too. But if the refs let them play without calling fouls, a super aggressive and high pressure D team may cause us too many turnovers and take us out of offense.
Despite my concerns regarding the quality of opponents we will need to beat, it's clearly true that to be the best, you have to beat quality teams. From a positive standpoint and why I like our chances, we have a few critical strengths.
First, we all know how deep we are, but our depth is even more significant by being so balanced. A good example was when Wilson got two early fouls. Tara had a range of options at replacement PGs including going big and letting Haley run the offense. We are best with Anna at PG, but the point is that our depth allows Tara to do all kinds of match ups that are best against an opponent and keep us competitive if a starter has to sit with fouls. Another example is Tara had Belibi and Prechtel on the floor at the same time. Tara obviously wanted a physical and size presence to counter Kansas. The beauty of it was that on offense, Fran is almost exclusively a low post threat while Ashten can hang out at the 3 point line and be a threat there. Same with playing Brink and Kiki at the same time. So even going bigger, we present a diverse offense. Overall, we have a nice mix of players with a variety of skills and abilities, so Tara can balance out our O and D as she sees fit.
Second, I am totally impressed with how many different players can step up and be major factors. As commentators have noted, opponents cannot effectively focus on one or two of our players because we can score with anyone and from anywhere. Sure, Brink, Jones, and Lexie are our first options who typically can take over games. But it can be more than one of them. Moreover, if teams focus on that trio and leave Anna, Lacie, or Jump open, those guards will bury the other team. Then we also have a number of scoring weapons that come off the bench. The only way teams slow us down is if they play tight defense on all fice of our players. Packing in and forcing us to beat them from the outside has not worked because we either have shot well, or if we miss, rebounded well, or find openings for back door plays.
Third, our team has great chemistry, on the court and apparently off the court too. That's a brobdingnagian plus. I normally don't like too much mixing and matching of lineups on the floor, but with this team, many of the players have played together for a long time and know how to adapt to each other. And because we have often won by large margins, almost every player has gotten a significant amount of PT including time with starters and the first few off the bench. Some may think Tara is being cliche about emphasizing how much these players are a real team and are all in together, except it's so true and thye really epitomize the team concept.
Finally, our players have tremendous experience, not just playing, but more importantly playing on the big stage, playing under pressure, and playing in tight games. Everyone experiences more adrenaline and emotions when the stakes are highest, but our women have been through it and caan handle it as well or better than the field.
In the end, as I'm sure Tara knows and emphasizes with the team, playing strong defense and rebounding are keys for consistent high level play. For offense, we need to do the things taught to handle high pressure D. If we do those things, our advantages will make us successful defending our national title. Looking forward to the next game, one at a time.
RE: WBB: Now the Fun Begins - WBB fan - 03-21-2022
(03-21-2022, 03:04 PM)treetop11 Wrote: After an easy first game and a second game that started badly and ended in a rout, our women have a tough path ahead of them to defend their national championship. I am discouraged by the flame-out of P12 teams - Colorado and Oregon were the most disappointing. Now only Stanford and Arizona remain, and UA has to win tonight to move on.
When down to 16 teams, obviously we have to beat 4 of the best teams to win the NC. It looks to me that among the #1 seeds, Stanford and NC State have the toughest path to the Final Four as the Greensboro and Wichita regionals had upsets whereas the Spokane and Bridgeport regionals have all the 2,3, and 4 seeds remaining. We face a good Maryland (who webeat earlier, but they were short-handed), and if we beat them, we will get a rematch with Texas (who beat us) or the winner of LSU/Ohio State. I don't know much about LSU, but a Kim Mulkey coached team is always tough. Ohio State is a mystery to me. Based on what I have seen, Texas looks like the team to emerge from the Sweet 16 into the Elite 8. Then if we can take down Texas (or LSU/Ohio St.), we will likely face the winner of NC State/UConn in the Final Four. Oklahoma and Indiana are the other two most likely. Anything can happen, but NC State and UConn seem too talented to be upset by OK or Ind.
Getting by the high octane O of MD and the 40 minute high pressure of Texas is quite a challenge for us. Then we will have to face either elite team NC State or UConn. NC State looks to me like a complete team. Watching them play Kansas St., they started slow but now are dominating - did so without their AA post who got 2 early fouls. UConn is a sleeper IMO. Now that they are healthy, their talent and depth is daunting. If we win in the semis, we will likely play the tournament prohibitive favorite, South Carolina in the finals for the NC. I would love to have that happen as I believe that we match up well with SC and I respect their team.
As I'm sure Tara has drilled into the team, our women have to take it one game at a time, so the projections above are only meant to emphasize how difficult it is to win the NC. As good and strong as we are, nothing can be taken for granted. Bottom line for our success as we all know, we will need to handle the styles of play which are extremely aggressive and high pressure. We've learned to handle teams playing real physical and we actually canplay real physical too. But if the refs let them play without calling fouls, a super aggressive and high pressure D team may cause us too many turnovers and take us out of offense.
Despite my concerns regarding the quality of opponents we will need to beat, it's clearly true that to be the best, you have to beat quality teams. From a positive standpoint and why I like our chances, we have a few critical strengths.
First, we all know how deep we are, but our depth is even more significant by being so balanced. A good example was when Wilson got two early fouls. Tara had a range of options at replacement PGs including going big and letting Haley run the offense. We are best with Anna at PG, but the point is that our depth allows Tara to do all kinds of match ups that are best against an opponent and keep us competitive if a starter has to sit with fouls. Another example is Tara had Belibi and Prechtel on the floor at the same time. Tara obviously wanted a physical and size presence to counter Kansas. The beauty of it was that on offense, Fran is almost exclusively a low post threat while Ashten can hang out at the 3 point line and be a threat there. Same with playing Brink and Kiki at the same time. So even going bigger, we present a diverse offense. Overall, we have a nice mix of players with a variety of skills and abilities, so Tara can balance out our O and D as she sees fit.
Second, I am totally impressed with how many different players can step up and be major factors. As commentators have noted, opponents cannot effectively focus on one or two of our players because we can score with anyone and from anywhere. Sure, Brink, Jones, and Lexie are our first options who typically can take over games. But it can be more than one of them. Moreover, if teams focus on that trio and leave Anna, Lacie, or Jump open, those guards will bury the other team. Then we also have a number of scoring weapons that come off the bench. The only way teams slow us down is if they play tight defense on all fice of our players. Packing in and forcing us to beat them from the outside has not worked because we either have shot well, or if we miss, rebounded well, or find openings for back door plays.
Third, our team has great chemistry, on the court and apparently off the court too. That's a of immense proportions plus. I normally don't like too much mixing and matching of lineups on the floor, but with this team, many of the players have played together for a long time and know how to adapt to each other. And because we have often won by large margins, almost every player has gotten a significant amount of PT including time with starters and the first few off the bench. Some may think Tara is being cliche about emphasizing how much these players are a real team and are all in together, except it's so true and thye really epitomize the team concept.
Finally, our players have tremendous experience, not just playing, but more importantly playing on the big stage, playing under pressure, and playing in tight games. Everyone experiences more adrenaline and emotions when the stakes are highest, but our women have been through it and caan handle it as well or better than the field.
In the end, as I'm sure Tara knows and emphasizes with the team, playing strong defense and rebounding are keys for consistent high level play. For offense, we need to do the things taught to handle high pressure D. If we do those things, our advantages will make us successful defending our national title. Looking forward to the next game, one at a time.
Great analysis and insight into so many elements of what is to come.
RE: WBB: Now the Fun Begins - TheWildJacko - 03-21-2022
(03-21-2022, 03:04 PM)treetop11 Wrote: After an easy first game and a second game that started badly and ended in a rout, our women have a tough path ahead of them to defend their national championship. I am discouraged by the flame-out of P12 teams - Colorado and Oregon were the most disappointing. Now only Stanford and Arizona remain, and UA has to win tonight to move on.
When down to 16 teams, obviously we have to beat 4 of the best teams to win the NC. It looks to me that among the #1 seeds, Stanford and NC State have the toughest path to the Final Four as the Greensboro and Wichita regionals had upsets whereas the Spokane and Bridgeport regionals have all the 2,3, and 4 seeds remaining. We face a good Maryland (who webeat earlier, but they were short-handed), and if we beat them, we will get a rematch with Texas (who beat us) or the winner of LSU/Ohio State. I don't know much about LSU, but a Kim Mulkey coached team is always tough. Ohio State is a mystery to me. Based on what I have seen, Texas looks like the team to emerge from the Sweet 16 into the Elite 8. Then if we can take down Texas (or LSU/Ohio St.), we will likely face the winner of NC State/UConn in the Final Four. Oklahoma and Indiana are the other two most likely. Anything can happen, but NC State and UConn seem too talented to be upset by OK or Ind.
Getting by the high octane O of MD and the 40 minute high pressure of Texas is quite a challenge for us. Then we will have to face either elite team NC State or UConn. NC State looks to me like a complete team. Watching them play Kansas St., they started slow but now are dominating - did so without their AA post who got 2 early fouls. UConn is a sleeper IMO. Now that they are healthy, their talent and depth is daunting. If we win in the semis, we will likely play the tournament prohibitive favorite, South Carolina in the finals for the NC. I would love to have that happen as I believe that we match up well with SC and I respect their team.
As I'm sure Tara has drilled into the team, our women have to take it one game at a time, so the projections above are only meant to emphasize how difficult it is to win the NC. As good and strong as we are, nothing can be taken for granted. Bottom line for our success as we all know, we will need to handle the styles of play which are extremely aggressive and high pressure. We've learned to handle teams playing real physical and we actually canplay real physical too. But if the refs let them play without calling fouls, a super aggressive and high pressure D team may cause us too many turnovers and take us out of offense.
Despite my concerns regarding the quality of opponents we will need to beat, it's clearly true that to be the best, you have to beat quality teams. From a positive standpoint and why I like our chances, we have a few critical strengths.
First, we all know how deep we are, but our depth is even more significant by being so balanced. A good example was when Wilson got two early fouls. Tara had a range of options at replacement PGs including going big and letting Haley run the offense. We are best with Anna at PG, but the point is that our depth allows Tara to do all kinds of match ups that are best against an opponent and keep us competitive if a starter has to sit with fouls. Another example is Tara had Belibi and Prechtel on the floor at the same time. Tara obviously wanted a physical and size presence to counter Kansas. The beauty of it was that on offense, Fran is almost exclusively a low post threat while Ashten can hang out at the 3 point line and be a threat there. Same with playing Brink and Kiki at the same time. So even going bigger, we present a diverse offense. Overall, we have a nice mix of players with a variety of skills and abilities, so Tara can balance out our O and D as she sees fit.
Second, I am totally impressed with how many different players can step up and be major factors. As commentators have noted, opponents cannot effectively focus on one or two of our players because we can score with anyone and from anywhere. Sure, Brink, Jones, and Lexie are our first options who typically can take over games. But it can be more than one of them. Moreover, if teams focus on that trio and leave Anna, Lacie, or Jump open, those guards will bury the other team. Then we also have a number of scoring weapons that come off the bench. The only way teams slow us down is if they play tight defense on all fice of our players. Packing in and forcing us to beat them from the outside has not worked because we either have shot well, or if we miss, rebounded well, or find openings for back door plays.
Third, our team has great chemistry, on the court and apparently off the court too. That's a of immense proportions plus. I normally don't like too much mixing and matching of lineups on the floor, but with this team, many of the players have played together for a long time and know how to adapt to each other. And because we have often won by large margins, almost every player has gotten a significant amount of PT including time with starters and the first few off the bench. Some may think Tara is being cliche about emphasizing how much these players are a real team and are all in together, except it's so true and thye really epitomize the team concept.
Finally, our players have tremendous experience, not just playing, but more importantly playing on the big stage, playing under pressure, and playing in tight games. Everyone experiences more adrenaline and emotions when the stakes are highest, but our women have been through it and caan handle it as well or better than the field.
In the end, as I'm sure Tara knows and emphasizes with the team, playing strong defense and rebounding are keys for consistent high level play. For offense, we need to do the things taught to handle high pressure D. If we do those things, our advantages will make us successful defending our national title. Looking forward to the next game, one at a time.
Not to jinx anything, but Princeton and UCF are still in the field in the Bridgeport region. I don't think it's a given that Indiana gets by Princeton, or that UCONN does, if both they and Princeton get to the S16. Princeton took out Kentucky, whose prior game was a victory over South Carolina.
RE: WBB: Now the Fun Begins - CompSci87 - 03-21-2022
Wow, 3 tight games in the round of 32 going at once:
#6 OSU is up 12-8 on #3 LSU.
#11 Princeton is tied with #3 IU after 1, 17-17.
#12 Belmont is down by only 2 to #4 Tennessee after 3, 48-46.
RE: WBB: Now the Fun Begins - TheWildJacko - 03-21-2022
(03-21-2022, 05:29 PM)CompSci87 Wrote: Wow, 3 tight games in the round of 32 going at once:
#6 OSU is up 12-8 on #3 LSU.
#11 Princeton is tied with #3 IU after 1, 17-17.
#12 Belmont is down by only 2 to #4 Tennessee after 3, 48-46.
Wow indeed! Lots of fun games to watch!
On the opposite spectrum of results, #5 Notre Dame completely demolished #4 OU in the Bridgeport region, 108-64. They play NC State and honestly, I think NC State might be in trouble.
Notre Dame had 3 20-point scorers, including Maya Dodson with 20 (Mabrey had 29 and Citron had 25), as well as Westbeld with 13 and Olivia Miles with 9 points, 7 rebounds, 12 assists and 3 steals.
RE: WBB: Now the Fun Begins - teejers1 - 03-21-2022
(03-21-2022, 05:34 PM)TheWildJacko Wrote:(03-21-2022, 05:29 PM)CompSci87 Wrote: Wow, 3 tight games in the round of 32 going at once:
#6 OSU is up 12-8 on #3 LSU.
#11 Princeton is tied with #3 IU after 1, 17-17.
#12 Belmont is down by only 2 to #4 Tennessee after 3, 48-46.
Wow indeed! Lots of fun games to watch!
On the opposite spectrum of results, #5 Notre Dame completely demolished #4 OU in the Bridgeport region, 108-64. They play NC State and honestly, I think NC State might be in trouble.
Notre Dame had 3 20-point scorers, including Maya Dodson with 20 (Mabrey had 29 and Citron had 25), as well as Westbeld with 13 and Olivia Miles with 9 points, 7 rebounds, 12 assists and 3 steals.
I've only watched parts of Q2 of the tOSU-LSU game, and my #1 reaction is: "Stanford can't keep up with LSU's guards." And here's the kicker: LSU is down 6 or 8 at halftime.
Add: make that tOSU up by 18! Ohio State looks to be the superior-coached team. LSU is not playing sound hoops, and the home crowd is getting agitated. Hope this one doesn't get ugly (and I'm not talking about on the scoreboard, which it kind of is now - not over, but LSU is in deep).
P.S. An absolutely stone-cold, killer trey by a Tennessee frosh very late to allow the Vols to slip by Belmont.
RE: WBB: Now the Fun Begins - treetop11 - 03-21-2022
(03-21-2022, 05:59 PM)teejers1 Wrote:(03-21-2022, 05:34 PM)TheWildJacko Wrote:(03-21-2022, 05:29 PM)CompSci87 Wrote: Wow, 3 tight games in the round of 32 going at once:
#6 OSU is up 12-8 on #3 LSU.
#11 Princeton is tied with #3 IU after 1, 17-17.
#12 Belmont is down by only 2 to #4 Tennessee after 3, 48-46.
Wow indeed! Lots of fun games to watch!
On the opposite spectrum of results, #5 Notre Dame completely demolished #4 OU in the Bridgeport region, 108-64. They play NC State and honestly, I think NC State might be in trouble.
Notre Dame had 3 20-point scorers, including Maya Dodson with 20 (Mabrey had 29 and Citron had 25), as well as Westbeld with 13 and Olivia Miles with 9 points, 7 rebounds, 12 assists and 3 steals.
I've only watched parts of Q2 of the tOSU-LSU game, and my #1 reaction is: "Stanford can't keep up with LSU's guards." And here's the kicker: LSU is down 6 or 8 at halftime.
Add: make that tOSU up by 18! Ohio State looks to be the superior-coached team. LSU is not playing sound hoops, and the home crowd is getting agitated. Hope this one doesn't get ugly (and I'm not talking about on the scoreboard, which it kind of is now - not over, but LSU is in deep).
P.S. An absolutely stone-cold, killer trey by a Tennessee frosh very late to allow the Vols to slip by Belmont.
Too bad for Belmont. Their gal missed 2 FTs that might have sealed it and instead they had to foul and the big from UT made her FTs. Rough turnover too by Belmont that might have given them the chance to tie.
RE: WBB: Now the Fun Begins - DaBears17 - 03-21-2022
Princeton also had a shot to beat Indiana in the last minute and couldn't hold on.
RE: WBB: Now the Fun Begins - chimera - 03-21-2022
Belmont blew it. They used a precious timeout when and then missed the shot anyway when they were up I think one or two. That left them with just one timeout down the stretch, which limited their options. They missed two FTs that really could have put them up for good. They were running a lot of time off the clock with a minute or two to go on purpose leaving them with little time and forced shots. When they got behind by one late with I forget, 15 or less seconds to go, something like that, they did not use that last timeout and chucked a long, risky pass that got lost out of bounds. They helped off the TN shooter who was wide open to hit the three that won the game. They blew it.
Also, watching the refs in these games where I have no dog in the fight, wow, they are bad way too often, egregiously bad.
RE: WBB: Now the Fun Begins - teejers1 - 03-21-2022
(03-21-2022, 07:44 PM)chimera Wrote: Belmont blew it. They used a precious timeout when and then missed the shot anyway when they were up I think one or two. That left them with just one timeout down the stretch, which limited their options. They missed two FTs that really could have put them up for good. They were running a lot of time off the clock with a minute or two to go on purpose leaving them with little time and forced shots. When they got behind by one late with I forget, 15 or less seconds to go, something like that, they did not use that last timeout and chucked a long, risky pass that got lost out of bounds. They helped off the TN shooter who was wide open to hit the three that won the game. They blew it.
Also, watching the refs in these games where I have no dog in the fight, wow, they are bad way too often, egregiously bad.
All of what you said is true: yet the Tennessee player - a frosh no less - had to can that trey or the Vols lose. And she knocked it down.
That was the definition of clutch.
RE: WBB: Now the Fun Begins - BostonCard - 03-21-2022
A quick reminder that you don’t need to quote the entirety of treetop’s excellent post to agree with it.
If you want to highlight or build on one passage that is of particular interest, quote the relevant portion and delete the rest. Otherwise, if you want to praise the analysis, you can do that using the “new reply” button on the bottom, instead of the “reply” at the end of each post.
BC
RE: WBB: Now the Fun Begins - Card Fan in OR - 03-22-2022
Thanks for the great rundown, treetop11. Not sure where to post this, so here it is. The Pac-12's (almost) complete flameout has many here worried for us, including yours truly. Not so with Charlie Creme, who has "reseeded" the sweet sixteen. Guess who's number 1? We are. And if you read between the lines just a little, he suggests it's not close. Hope he's right.
I didn't see much to dispute in his other 15 seedings, either. He has the usual suspects in 2-4. UCONN at 5, which is higher than I would put them, and South Dakota at 12.
https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/33566988/women-ncaa-tournament-2022-reseeding-sweet-16
RE: WBB: Now the Fun Begins - treetop11 - 03-22-2022
d not seen Ohio St. or Notre Dame play this year until yesterday, but they both looked impressive. Their respective match ups with Texas and NC State should be very interesting. By a fair margin, the Bridgeport and Spokane regions are the toughest for reaching the Final Four.
The level of intensity really goes up in the tournament so not always surprising to see underdogs win or put up a good fight. So top teams also playing with extra intensity once reaching the Sweet 16 makes for some interesting games. I want to see Stanford be as aggressive as any opponent, force opponents to foul us and refs to make calls. We will win the battle of fouls because of our depth. Remaining Sweet 16 teams also have decent depth, but they seem to have one or two players that they need on the court to win. I'm not sure that we have anyone that is that irreplaceable.
Looking just to our next game, Maryland has been playing very well lately and has some top players. I want to see us emphatically take them down with tough D, good shooting, and minimal turnovers. Going forward I will be thrilled if Stanford shows razor sharp execution that it's capable of doing. I wonder if Jump will become our "secret weapon". When she gets hot as she has seemed to be returning to earlier form before beign out, she puts up points quickly and will build us a big cushion. I'm sure that opponents very well know that they can't leave her open at the 3 pt line, but she somehow seems to get open even when teams focus on her outside shot. She also has gotten pretty good and driving the ball and htting mid range shots. I would also like to see Lacie hitting threes so consistently like she did earlier (she hasn't been as good in recent games). If those two plaayers knock down threes, that really opens up things for Jones, Brink, and Lexie.
RE: WBB: Now the Fun Begins - M T - 03-22-2022
I really like Jump's 3-pt shot, lack of memory, and her improvement. But she's still got to improve on defense to be at the level of the Hulls. If we didn't have the Hulls as our gold standard of hustle defense, Jump would seem quite good. But she sometimes loses her player. (Wilson is our gold standard for quickness defense.)
Prechtel has several flaws, but one I think she could really improve on over a summer is holding onto rebounds. She often gets her hands on the ball but doesn't secure it. (Belibi almost never loses a ball she gets her hands on.)
I'd suggest a variety of exercises to improve the muscle memory for securing the ball.
Playing around with slippery basketballs (perhaps in a pool?). Learn to quickly get it into a secure grip.
Blindfolded grabbing of basketballs that come down onto her fingertips. Much of the control should be done by muscle memory.
Strengthening her grip. Don't let someone tip it out of a lackadaisical grip.
Many on one trying to knock the ball out of her hands (another exercise that could be done in a pool)